Extra curricular activities

[btk]

Hi

I graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business undergraduate bachelor of business administration program last may. I had a GPA of 3.75 (graduated with high distinction) and have taken the GMAT and got a 730. I work for a 2nd tier consulting firm think Deloitte, iBM, Accenture and am in their 2 year development program. Im hoping to apply to MBA programs after 3 years of working so I will have most likely received 1 promotion by the time I apply. I would like to go to a top 5 MBA program and feel that I am a fairly competitive applicant (assuming strong essays and recommendations), except that I do not have many extra curricular activities. In undergrad I was very involved in extra curriculars but since graduation I have not been active. I have found it hard to get involved while traveling for work. Does anyone have any recommendations on what type of extra curricular activities I should get involved in?

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

[CriticalSquareMBA]

Hey there,

I'm about to give you some less than stellar news but I feel it better to rip off the bandaid than sugar coat things. You're a distinct disadvantage at the moment having no ECs. Yes, traveling is rough but you're in consulting, and your involvement is a direct factor in your year end evaluation. Consulting firms are notorious for requiring practitioner involvement and you're going up against peers who have years of impactful activities. The easiest activities to become involved in are through your firm itself. Think recruiting, pro bono work, training, or thought leadership.

So is it difficult to be involved while you're traveling? Of course. But everyone else is so that excuse simply won't work. If you were really involved in undergrad, that's great and make sure you highlight that where appropriate. As you look for new activities. think about what ties well to what you did in undergrad to add a component of commitment and passion there.

Let me know if you have any specific questions!

Bhavik

[btk]

I understand it is a disadvantage, thats why I was asking. Luckily, I have only been out of undergrad for 8 months and have a few years before I apply, so I feel like I havent lost too much time. I have gotten involved in some of the internal stuff like active in the 2 year program network group and recruiting. I guess what I am trying to get at is what kind of ECs (beyond the internal company ones) should I get involved in. Do some types of ECs look better than others (volunteering vs. young professionals club vs. intramural sports team).

[CriticalSquareMBA]

Hey there,

That's a relief - for some reason I thought you were further along than just 8 months. That's perfect! You're asking the right questions mate. So from an involvement standpoint, there are certain things you should keep in mind. ECs serve one of a few purposes:

1) Skills Development: Often times, ECs give junior staff an opportunity to develop and showcase leadership that would otherwise be difficult to get with a client or within the company. Therefore, it can augment your professional accomplishments and give a direct comparison among peers.

2) Passion & Impact: Have you always been passionate about something? Then your ECs can help paint that story and show your impact. This can be a variety of things - anything from volunteering to running marathons. It shows dedication and drive.

3) Professional Enablement: Not all ECs have to be philanthropic. Have you always wanted to start a business on side? Go ahead. You learn more starting a business than you do in any rotational program. Or perhaps you are heavily involved in white papers for an industry or function you want to pursue post MBA. Or perhaps you are involved in a professional organization in the area. If you go with professional organizations, make sure they're well known and not fluff. For example, avoid Toastmasters.

What you want is to seem well rounded (so don't go all in with the volunteering - switch things up) but also impactful. So don't get involved in something with a big name where you have a small role. You want to strike a balance.

If you have certain ECs you're debating between, feel free to list them here and we can chat through the pros and cons of them!

Bhavik

[max_roper]

Hello btk

Thank you for sharing your question. Many of us understand the challenges of staying involved in our community while having limited time and availability. May I suggest three organizations that specialize in virtual opportunities that are business leadership focused?

1) SCORE
2) Taproot Foundation
3) USA Leadership Corps

These organizations recruit, train, and match talented professionals like yourself with small businesses or nonprofits in need of business planning and strategy assistance. You will have an efficient and fulfilling experience by partnering with any of these groups.

Visit each group's website when you have an opportunity. (Perhaps during your next downtime at an airport.)

Thanks again for sharing your question & best of luck to you.


Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps (USALC)
www usaLeadershipCorps org